LA PALMA — A man was arrested in connection with a curb-painting scam reported in Newport Beach.

Michael Loren Carson, 41, of Long Beach was arrested Saturday on suspicion of forgery, La Palma police Sgt. Jim Engen said. Carson had been soliciting for curb-painting business with his 14-year-old son in La Palma, Engen said.

La Palma detectives first contacted Carson about curb painting four months ago, Engen said. They remembered him after reading a story in The Orange County Register on Feb. 17 about solicitations for curb painting, primarily in Newport Beach, Engen said.

In the scam, a man asks residents for $15 to paint a curb. He takes a check made out to “CAS” (Curb Address Service). He never returns to paint the curb and adds an “H” to the end of “CAS” to cash out the check.

The man claims the money would benefit the Boys and Girls Club, but the organization has said it is not working with curb painters in the area.

Anyone who has been victimized by the scam is asked to call their local police department.

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